Orioles beat Dodgers 6-1 for doubleheader sweep

Associated Press

BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Orioles had barely completed one sweep when they started talking about finishing off another.

After rallying from a four-run deficit against Hyun-Jin Ryu to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-5 in the opener of a split doubleheader, the Orioles pounded Josh Beckett and rolled to a 6-1 victory in the nightcap Saturday night.

“To beat two good starters, Ryu and Beckett, it wasn’t easy but this team always fights to that 27th out,” Baltimore center fielder Adam Jones said.

Los Angeles has lost six straight, its longest skid since a seven-game slide last June. The Orioles’ next objective is to win the third and final game of the series Sunday.

“We’ve got to come out and be greedy and get the sweep,” Jones said.

Baltimore won the opener behind Nolan Reimold, who homered and hit a tiebreaking two-run double in the eighth inning.

In the second game, Wei-Yin Chen pitched six innings of three-hit ball and the Orioles got home runs from Chris Davis and Manny Machado. It all added up to Baltimore’s first doubleheader sweep since Oct. 1, 2010, against Detroit.

“You look at the math of it, it’s hard,” manager Buck Showalter said. “It’s hard because there’s an atmosphere of, once you get that first one, you either kind of relax. Our guys came out trying to compete. They knew they had their hands full with Beckett. He pitched pretty well.”

Beckett (0-3) kept the Dodgers close until Machado hit a three-run homer in the sixth to make it 6-1. The right-hander has lost five consecutive starts to Baltimore, beginning in 2011 when he was with Boston.

“I was trying to front hip it and I put it down the middle and he hit it good,” Beckett said. “That was the difference today. Really, the pitches their guys were making were the pitches I wasn’t. That’s what lost us the game.”

Chen (1-2) allowed one run, walked four and struck out two to end a six-game losing streak dating back to Aug. 19, 2012. The Taiwanese left-hander didn’t let a runner get past first base after the first inning and was aided by two double plays.

Tommy Hunter pitched the final three innings for his first career save.

Los Angeles got a first-inning run when Chen hit Carl Crawford with a pitch, Nick Punto singled and Adrian Gonzalez delivered a sacrifice fly.

Davis tied it with his seventh home run, a drive that traveled an estimated 448 feet over the center-field wall — third-longest by an Oriole at Camden Yards behind Jeffrey Hammonds (460) and Mark Reynolds (450).

After wasting a bases-loaded threat in the third, the Orioles went up 3-1 in the fifth. Nate McLouth walked and scored on a double by Machado, who came home on a double by Jones.

In the sixth, Ryan Flaherty and McLouth singled before the 20-year-old Machado chased Beckett with a liner into the left field seats. Machado’s four RBIs tied a career high, set against Kansas City last August.

That all but clinched the sweep.

“It’s huge. We’ve been here since 9, 10 o’clock in the morning,” Machado said. “We know we’ve got to come back here (Sunday) at 10. We know we just have to keep the same momentum going. It definitely helps that we came out with two wins today. It’s tough. We’ve been out there a long time.”

The Dodgers, on the other hand, lamented a long, unproductive day.

“There is a time when you feel like you just need a win,” Mattingly said. “Really, this feels like one of those times. We just need to put a win on the board and get out of this.”

In the opener — a makeup of Friday’s rainout — Los Angeles took a 4-0 lead in the second inning. But Ryu couldn’t hold the advantage.

With the score tied at 5 in the eighth, Davis hit a one-out double off Paco Rodriguez (0-1) and Ronald Belisario walked J.J. Hardy on four pitches. After a passed ball and an intentional walk loaded the bases, Reimold sliced an opposite-field liner down the right field line.

Darren O’Day (2-0) got two outs in the eighth and Jim Johnson worked a perfect ninth for his seventh save.

Hardy homered and drove in three runs for the Orioles, and Davis had three hits and scored three runs.

Andre Ethier hit a three-run homer, Matt Kemp had three hits and Mark Ellis went 2 for 3 with an RBI for Los Angeles.

Ryu gave up five runs and eight hits in six innings, walking two and striking out six.

“I can’t really make any excuses. I wish the outcome was better,” the South Korean rookie said through a translator. “But I’ll come back and do better next time. I’ll just consider it a big learning experience.”

Orioles starter Jason Hammel also went six innings, allowing four runs and seven hits.

Red Sox beat Royals

BOSTON — After honoring the victims and the survivors of the Boston Marathon bombings, the Red Sox kept on with their best start in 11 years by beating the Kansas City Royals 4-3 as David Ortiz played his first game since last summer and Daniel Nava hit a three-run homer off Kelvin Herrera (1-2) in the eighth inning.

The Red Sox wore white home jerseys with “Boston” on the front instead of the customary “Red Sox.” The shirts will be auctioned off for a fund to support victims of the bombing.

Kansas City players and staff wore a “B Strong” patch on the front of their jerseys. Neil Diamond sang Red Sox favorite “Sweet Caroline” before the bottom of the eighth.

Following the emotional pregame ceremony, the Red Sox won their sixth straight games — four since Monday’s bombings at the marathon finish line.

Clay Buchholz (4-0) allowed eight hits in eight innings.

YANKEES 5, BLUE JAYS 3, 11 INNINGS

TORONTO — Blue Jays reliever Aaron Loup had a two-run throwing error in the 11th inning and the Yankees beat Toronto for their ninth win in 11 games.

Shawn Kelley (1-0) got two outs in the 10th for the win and Mariano Rivera finished for his fifth save.

Vernon Wells and Francisco Cervelli singled off Loup (1-1) to begin the 11th, and Ichiro Suzuki followed with a bunt to the third base side of the mound that Loup and third basemen Brett Lawrie both charged. Loup fielded it and wheeled to throw to third. But with Lawrie out of position as he retreated back to the bag, the ball sailed into foul territory and down the left field line, allowing both runners to score.

ANGELS 10, TIGERS 0

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Mike Trout capped a nine-run first inning against Rick Porcello with his first career grand slam, Garrett Richards pitched two-hit ball over seven innings and the Angels routed the Tigers. Richards (1-0) struck out eight and walked none. Prince Fielder’s leadoff single in the second and Miguel Cabrera’s leadoff double in the seventh were the only hits off the right-hander.

Porcello (0-2) faced 11 batters, threw 47 pitches and got only two outs — on a double-play grounder by Chris Iannetta.

TWINS 2, WHITE SOX 1, 10TH INNING

CHICAGO — Ryan Doumit doubled and scored the go-ahead run in the 10th inning on Alexei Ramirez’s throwing error, and Minnesota beat the White Sox.

Doumit led off with a double off Hector Santiago (0-1). After Aaron Hicks popped up a bunt attempt, Eduardo Escobar hit a slow grounder that shortstop Ramirez fielded cleanly but bounced his throw to first base. Escobar was safe on an infield hit and Doumit scored to help Minnesota snap a four-game skid against the White Sox.

Vance Worley pitched seven strong innings, giving up one run and five hits.

Casey Fien (1-1) got one out for the win.

White Sox starter Jake Peavy allowed one run and six hits, struck out nine and walked four in seven innings.

RAYS 1, ATHLETICS 0

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Jeremy Hellickson pitched seven impressive innings and Matt Joyce homered to help the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Oakland Athletics 1-0 on Saturday night.

Hellickson (1-1) allowed three hits, walked one and struck out six to win for the first time in four starts this season. Joyce homered off Jarrod Parker (0-3) leading off the second inning.

Joel Peralta pitched the eighth for Tampa Bay, which has won two straight over the AL West-leading A’s after dropping seven of nine of a road trip that ended Thursday night.

Fernando Rodney worked the ninth, finishing the three-hit shutout and earning his second save in three opportunities.

INDIANS 19, ASTROS 6

HOUSTON — Jason Giambi, Mark Reynolds and Carlos Santana homered, and the Indians routed the Astros.

Giambi had five RBIs and Reynolds drove in four runs, but Scott Kazmir was unable to get the win in his first major league appearance since he recorded five outs in a start for the Los Angeles Angels at Kansas City on April 3, 2011. The left-hander allowed six runs and seven hits in 3 1-3 innings.

Cleveland roughed up Philip Humber (0-4) and finished with 22 hits while stopping a five-game slide.

Humber (0-4) recorded just one out on the eve of the anniversary of his perfect game. He was charged with eight runs and eight hits.

Corey Kluber (1-0) pitched four innings of two-hit ball to get the win.

RANGERS 5, MARINERS 0

ARLINGTON, Texas — Derek Lowe pitched four hitless innings in relief of injured starter Nick Tepesch, A.J. Pierzynski and David Murphy each hit solo homers and the Rangers beat the Mariners.

Lowe (1-0) came out of the bullpen in the second inning after Tepesch was hit just above the right wrist by a line drive, sustaining a bruise. The 39-year-old right-hander allowed only one Seattle batter to reach when he hit Kendrys Morales with a pitch leading off the third.

Tepesch left with two outs in the second inning when Jesus Montero’s liner caromed off the right-hander’s wrist and into shallow right field.

The 24-year-old Tepesch, who appeared to be bleeding just above his wrist, began immediately shaking his arm after he was struck. He threw a couple of warm-up pitches, but the Rangers opted to bring reliever Lowe into the game.

Nationals best Mets

NEW YORK — Bryce Harper launched two long home runs, including a tiebreaking drive in the eighth inning, and also doubled to lead the Washington Nationals over the New York Mets 7-6.

Adam LaRoche and Ian Desmond homered for the Nationals on Bark in the Park day at Citi Field. Fans paid $35 for tickets in the second deck in right field, and brought their dogs for $10.

After the game, Nationals manager Davey Johnson said third baseman Ryan Zimmerman was being placed on the 15-day disabled list because of persistent tightness in his left hamstring.

Harper hit a two-run homer to right-center in the third. He then hit the first pitch from Josh Edgin (0-1) in the eighth even farther and harder to right-center for his seventh home run.

Tyler Clippard (1-0) got four outs for the win and Rafael Soriano closed for his sixth save.

GIANTS 2, PADRES 0

SAN FRANCISCO — Pablo Sandoval hit a two-run homer and Tim Lincecum struck out a season-best eight batters.

Lincecum (2-0) pitched 6 2-3 scoreless innings, providing a steady presence on the mound after he had allowed four or more runs in a single inning in two of his previous three starts this year.

Sandoval’s third home run of the season landed in the elevated right-field arcade for a 2-0 lead in the fourth that held up. The Giants are 8-1 this season when scoring first.

Sandoval delivered the key hit against Andrew Cashner (0-1) a night after Angel Pagan’s winning, one-out double in the ninth lifted the Giants to a 3-2 win in the series opener.

ROCKIES 4, DIAMONDBACKS 3

DENVER — Jorge De La Rosa pitched six innings of two-hit ball, Michael Cuddyer homered and the Colorado Rockies won their season-high eighth in a row.

De La Rosa (2-1) won for the first time at Coors Field since returning late last year from reconstructive surgery on his pitching (left) elbow. And he resumed his mastery at home of the Diamondbacks, improving to 7-0 with a 1.38 ERA in eight career starts against Arizona at Coors Field.

He struck out four and walked two and didn’t allow a run in a second consecutive six-inning outing as the Rockies ran their home record to 8-0. Colorado is the only team in the majors without a loss at home.

Cuddyer connected for his fourth homer of the season in the sixth, driving the first offering from Trevor Cahill (0-3) into the left field bleachers.

REDS 3, MARLINS 2, 13 INNINGS

CINCINNATI — Brandon Phillips had a game-ending sacrifice fly in the 13th inning, giving the Reds a victory over the Marlins.

Facing Steve Cishek (1-2), Miami’s seventh pitcher of the game, Shin-Soo Choo led off the 13th with an opposite-field double down the left field line, his sixth time on base in seven plate appearances — he walked three times. Zack Cozart sustained an apparent right-hand injury while trying to bunt, and pinch-hitter Cesar Izturis moved Choo to third with a fly ball to center field. Joey Votto was intentionally walked, and Phillips — on his bobblehead day — lofted the fly to center field.

Alfredo Simon (1-1) retired the Marlins in order to get the win.

CARDINALS 5, PHILLIES 0

PHILADELPHIA — Lance Lynn threw one-hit ball for seven innings and Carlos Beltran homered for the third straight game to lead the Cardinals over the Phillies.

Lynn (3-0) did not allow a hit until John Mayberry Jr., led off the fifth with a double. Lynn struck out eight and walked three in his longest outing of the season.

Trevor Rosenthal and Mitchell Boggs each tossed a scoreless inning to combine for St. Louis’ fourth shutout of the season.

Beltran’s solo shot off Cliff Lee (2-1) in the fifth inning gave him homers in the first three games of the four-game series. Allen Craig had a two-run single in a four-run third for the Cards.

Lee easily had his worst start of the year. After walking one batter in 23 2-3 innings this year, he walked the bases loaded in the third that led to St. Louis’ big inning.

PIRATES 3, BRAVES 1

PITTSBURGH — James McDonald pitched six dominant inning and Gaby Sanchez hit a tiebreaking two-run homer to lead the Pirates to a victory over Atlanta.

In quite a contrast to his previous start, McDonald (2-2) struck out nine while allowing only one run on two hits. McDonald was tagged for eight runs in 1 2-3 innings on Monday in a loss to St. Louis.

Sanchez’s first home run of the season broke a 1-all tie and capped a three-run sixth. Paul Maholm (3-1) carried a two-hit shutout into the inning and had not allowed a run in 25 1-3 innings this season.

Atlanta (13-4), which has the best record in the major leagues, lost consecutive games for the first this season.

BREWERS 5, CUBS 1

MILWAUKEE — Jonathan Lucroy homered, Hiram Burgos pitched five innings in his major league debut and the Milwaukee Brewers took advantage of shoddy fielding by the Chicago Cubs in a 5-1 win Saturday night.

Burgos (1-0) held the Cubs to one run and five hits with a strikeout and no walks to help the Brewers win their sixth straight game.

The Brewers scored first when Lucroy hit his third home run of the season, a solo shot to left center field in the second inning off Cubs starter Edwin Jackson (0-3). Jackson lost to the Brewers for the second time this season.